The Best Booster Car Seats (5)

When a child’s weight and height exceed the limits for forward-facing seats, they should shift to using a booster seat until the normal seat belt fits them properly. This is typically when they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are 8 to 12 years of age. Boosters are designed to raise your child so that seat belts fit, reducing your child’s risk of injury in a crash.

High-back boosters are mainly used in vehicles without headrests or with low seat backs. They have harnesses that are multi-purpose and will work for younger and older children. Backless boosters are usually less expensive and are easier to move from one vehicle to another. Backless boosters can be used safely in vehicles with headrests and high seat backs. ​ Once the child outgrows the weight and height recommendations for safety seats, you’ll need a kid booster seat. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at five of the best booster car seats available:

The comfort of a booster seat is very important, features like high-quality double-foam padding are something one should be on the lookout for.

Now that you have seen our top 5 recommendations, find more detail on each of them, including why we picked them. When you’re ready, click the red button to get the best price on Amazon!

Graco Affix Youth Booster Seat

Comfort and safety are what Graco Affix Youth Booster Seat will give your kids while riding. It has a cup holder and built-in storage compartment to keep cups and toys while being on a long road trip with the family. With an adjustable back, it’s convenient and easy for your kids to fit in. A self-buckle option is also included.

It is absolutely easy to install the seat, as it is equipped with a one-hand, front-adjust Latch system. It comes along with a seat belt guide for parents to have a better idea about security. Kids weighing between 20 to 100 pounds and 38 to 57 inches tall are a perfect fit for Graco Affix Youth Booster Seat. It’s cost-effective as it can adjust to a child’s growth accordingly.

Graco Backless TurboBooster Car Seat

If your kid has outgrown a high-back booster the next step could be a backless model like the Graco Backless TurboBooster. This price-effective backless model fits kids weighing a maximum of 100 pounds and of a maximum height of 57 inches tall. The booster also has a variety of features that will ensure comfort for both the child and the parent.

This backless booster will position the seatbelt across the kid’s lap and shoulders. It also features cushions and padded, adjustable armrests, which are both machine washable. It is very easy to install the seat and the hideaway cup holders give an added benefit.

Cosco Topside Booster Car Seat

This seat is an affordable option for a backless seat for older kids. This booster works for kids weighing 40 to 100 pounds and 43 to 57 inches tall and the extra pad makes it comfortable for long drives in the car.

This backless booster is easy to install and, if needed, can be moved from car to car. It is designed in such a way that it doesn’t leave marks on a vehicle’s seats. The design also helps fit three across the backseat of most cars. It could be a traveling family’s secret considering it is lightweight and compact.

Evenflo Big Kid AMP Booster Car Seat

If you are looking for a 2 in 1 booster seat, then this could be the right option for you since this booster seat can shift easily from having a back to backless. The height is adjustable up to 6 positions and has added perks of dual cup holders. There is an energy-absorbing foam that gives additional comfort and safety for the child, the seat also has a belt guide path-to-position. The seat fabric is also machine washable. The maximum weight and height recommendations are 110 pounds and 57 inches. The Evenflo Big Kid was rated a Best Bet Booster by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Chicco KidFit Booster Car Seat

If a multi-utility seat is what you are looking for then the Chicco KidFit Booster Car Seat is a good option. It comes equipped with head and shoulder side-impact protection. The seat can be adjusted up to 10 positions which are really helpful for growing children. The latch attachment and one-pull clincher help keep the seat in place with or without the child in it.

The seat has a double foam padding to provide additional support and comfort. There are two removable cup holders to help out with the cleanup. The fabric of the seat is entirely removable and machine washable which is extremely helpful. The backrest also has two adjust positions that will help the child in a long drive.

The seat can also be converted into a backless booster seat by simply removing the back to extend its shelf life.

Quick Purchase Guide

Safety – The safest kid booster seats have various kinds of additional safety features including side impact protection. They might also feature energy-absorbing foam impact cushions that offer optimal levels of protection for your children. Great booster seats also often include an extra headrest and body protection with extra padding.

Comfort – The comfort of a booster seat is very important, features like high-quality double-foam padding are something one should be on the lookout for. Nowadays many seats come with multiple options for adjusting the headrest and the recline and typically more the options more the comfort. The headrest and harness should fit your child properly and comfortably..

Easy to clean –Kids are often clumsy and messy, this is to be taken as a fact. So, seats that are easier to clean should be a priority. Machine washable seats along with detachable cup holders etc should be on the lookout. Having additional storage facilities also does not hurt.

Booster seat stages – Buying a 2-in-1 child booster seat makes a lot more sense for the adult considering kids grow really fast and so that they don’t have to spend again and again. The harness being adjustable ensures that even with a fast-growing child on board, the seats remain in-use. A removable backrest could also be a very helpful addition to the checklist. Each seat has a different height and weight recommendation, this should be considered before buying the seat.

FAQs

How do I use a booster seat?

The backless booster seats are easy to set up, it just requires putting the vehicle’s regular seat belt through the booster seat which will help keep it compact. The adult needs to make sure that the lap belt fits across the child’s upper thighs and not their stomach. Whereas the shoulder belt should be across the middle of the kid’s chest and not on their neck. Usually, the booster will have a LATCH tether which will help in the installation process as well.

Are car safety seats necessary?

Yes, absolutely! As a matter of fact, they’re a legal requirement in most US states. Young children’s bodies are still growing and they aren’t built to handle the stress of a car trip. Car safety seats ensure that your children are safe and comfortable throughout the ride.

What is Latch?

Latch is short for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. It’s a system of tethers on car safety seats compatible with standardized anchors on most cars made after 2002 to make car safety seat installation a breeze.

When should my kid use a booster seat?

The most important factors for this are the child’s height and weight. In general, once the kid outgrows the forward-facing safety seat around the time when they surpass a weight between 40 and 65 pounds and are around 35 inches tall. At that point is when you shift to a booster seat until they are old enough to ride without using a safety seat. The weight limits always vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so that must be kept in mind while buying a safety seat